But looking into his daughter’s imploring face, the protests refused to come to his lips. He knew he had to try, just as he knew he had to use the Crystal of Oromasd even though he hadn’t the faintest idea how to do it. As Umar had pointed out about their mission as a whole, he might fail if he tried, but he’d certainly fail if he didn’t.
His voice softened as he said, “Will you take the lessons with me? You’ll probably be better at it than I will, and that way at least one of us has a chance to be able to read the book.”
Selima smiled. “I would be honored to study beside my illustrious father.”
“But how can I go about learning lessons like a schoolboy in a madrasa? Umar and Ahmad will see me and know something is not as it should be.”
Cari spoke up. “The three of us can sit apart and
